TRAVELLERS are being slugged up to $85 to check-in bags at the airport by low-cost carriers.

Tiger Airways charges passengers who don't buy luggage allowance in advance $70 for a 20kg bag for short flights and $85 for longer flights.

People with heavier bags are charged an extra $20 to $25 per kilogram.

Jetstar also charges $70 at the airport for domestic flights for bags weighing up to 15kg on its cheapest fares, while Virgin Australia charges $40.

Matt Levey, from consumer group Choice, said the extra cost can turn a cheap flight into an expensive flight.

"It's part of a changing culture of airlines trying to cut costs and spend as little time as possible dealing one on one with passengers and push as much as they can into online and automated processes,'' he said.

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Comments on this story

Alex of Melbourne of Australia Posted at 12:11 AM February 10, 2013

You think luggage prices are bad, Jetstar wanted to charge a friend of mine $900.00 for a name change on an International Flight. $900 Bloody Dollars just to delete a name and type a new one in!!
Okay, it was really $900 less the fare already paid. So that is still $500 extra to pay for a name change.
Yes, there was Terms & Conditions BUT they NEVER stated the amount, This was a good special deal $399 Rtn Mel to Honolulu but my friend has to go in for surgery and is now, due to the ridiculous greed of Jetstar Management, having to cancel and waste her flight.
She cannot even give her ticket away. Why don't the ACCC look into this? Shame on you Jetstar! Shame!!
Where is Today Tonite OR A Current Affair when you need them??

Comment 1 of 13

Matt of Brisbane Posted at 12:30 AM February 10, 2013

Fly Qantas, you can even book extra baggage for about $10 per item. Flights work out cheaper anyway.

Comment 2 of 13

John of Gold Coast Posted at 7:48 AM February 10, 2013

While weight control may be a high priority for the airlines their present model is not working. Passengers bringing larger and heavier carry on luggage is now the second biggest problem in flying behind undisciplined children. The carry on brief case or handbag has been replaced with larger and larger suitcases more often than not exceeding the airlines own weight and size specifications so people can avoid luggage fees. I have seen on many occasions passengers being unable to put luggage in overhead lockers that are full and altercations occurring. If the airlines don't address this problem soon we will be like America where it is truly out of control.

Comment 3 of 13

Wayne of Brisbane Posted at 9:04 AM February 10, 2013

If people knew how Tiger calculate their fuel for flights, they would refuse to travel with them. The only thing that would save Tiger in an emergency is that most of their routes travel a "reasonable" distance from smaller airports where the runway might be able to handle an Airbus in extreme circumstances. And as for some the cabin crew's ability to communicate properly in an emergency...I'll leave that one to the "equal opportunity in employment" people, who seem to allow anyone with poor English skills to work in this country.

Comment 4 of 13

Ben Posted at 9:42 AM February 10, 2013

Seriously ""Some people may not be set up to navigate these tricks and traps,''. The terms are as clear as day, if you can't read them you should not be flying unaccompanied

Comment 5 of 13

Andrew.Hobbs of sydney Posted at 9:45 AM February 10, 2013

This is not just budget airlines. Recently, I caught an Air NZ flight from Sydney to SF and then changed to an Air Canada flight from SF to Montreal. AC did not tell us we had no baggage allowance and I was stung almost $100 in SF.

Comment 6 of 13

Carry-on Only of Darwin Posted at 10:05 AM February 10, 2013

Jetstar adds 20kg per passenger at the appropriate cost when you book domestic flights online, as default. People have to deselect the option to just have the cheap flight so i think people are fully aware and are then trying to cheat the system only to find out they loose out big time. Wake up travellers.

Comment 7 of 13

Peter D of Upupand-awayway Posted at 10:06 AM February 10, 2013

Naive and Non internet savvy travelers are no worse off than before. Remember the words "travel agent", they do still exist and those people use them.

Comment 8 of 13

Dizzy of Oz Posted at 12:23 PM February 10, 2013

how about we weigh the passengers there is a lot of excess baggage...

Comment 9 of 13

andrew of brisbane Posted at 12:24 PM February 10, 2013

when did this become current news? seriously, this has been known for a long time. cheap airlines give you a seat and that is all. everything else you have to pay for. if you want full service, go with a full service airline. an old rule - if it is too good to be true, it probably is.

Comment 10 of 13

Huw Posted at 2:22 PM February 10, 2013

Even more ridiculous was the fact that my sister got charge exceess baggage by Jetstar for her type 1 diabetic insulin bag!
When my sister explained, "I need this to live", the stewardess had no remorse and replied, "It's excess baggage and needs to be paid for or leave it behind"!
I say what's the difference between a wheel chair and a insulin bag? Nothing!
It's plain right discrimination!

Comment 11 of 13

Stacey of Queensland Posted at 2:23 PM February 10, 2013

If your not capable of using the internet, use a travel agent.

Comment 12 of 13

Anne Posted at 2:52 PM February 10, 2013

Of course there will be extra chargers for cheap flights. I paid an extra $40 for baggage, $12.95 for insurance and $6 for choosing a seat. It was still cheaper then other airlines so I'm not complaining. Just make sure to read all the small print before booking!

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